PBA: Lifetime ban
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) yesterday clarified that the controversial Puerto Rican player Renaldo Balkman is banned for life from the league amid reports that the ban is only for one year.
In a report by Spin.ph, league commissioner Chito Salud reiterated that Balkman is “banned and blacklisted from playing in the PBA in the future.”
Balkman can only play again in the league if the ban is lifted or commuted.
The confusion came when PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial said in television newscasts that the ban is only good for one year and that the former Petron import can suit up again as a PBA import if he shows good records in other leagues.
Going through anger management could also help Balkman return to the PBA, Marcial reportedly said.
Marcial, however, claimed he was misinterpreted.
“Ang sabi ko lang naman, siguro kung sa susunod na taon o sa future may makitang pagbabago at baguhin (ang decision), pupuwede yun,” Marcial told spin.ph.
“Pero wala akong sinabi na one year lang yung ban. Sabi ko pwedeng mabago, kung magde-desisyon ang commissioner,” Marcial added.
Salud meted Balkman a lifetime ban from the league and P250,000 fine after his outburst in the last 21.6 seconds of their, 73-83 loss to the Alaska Aces last week.
Balkman confronted a referee, claiming that he was fouled when he drove to the lane but none was called. Then he shoved Petron assistant coach Biboy Ravanes and Ronald Tubid who tried to pacify him.
The incident became uglier when Balkman choked teammate Arwind Santos who also tried to calm him down.
In the same spin.ph report, Balkman’s Philippine agent, Sheryl Reyes, revealed that she will file an appeal before the Commissioner’s Office to downgrade the penalty.
“Ina-appeal ko nga, kasi it will affect his international deals,” said Reyes. “Napaka-harsh (naman kasi nung decision). Okay na sa akin yung pauwiin at yung fine eh.”
“Lifetime ban? Super naman parang death penalty ang dating. Kasi you take basketball away from somebody as passionate as Balkman, that’s really unfair,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Meralco Bolts padded their winning run to three with a, 112-104 triumph over the slumping Barako Bull Energy Colas last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Bolts improved to 4-3 (win-loss), while the Energy Colas slumped to their fourth straight defeat to drop to 3-5.
